All of my 2008 Fantasy Football Rankings were compiled in early and mid July. Of course, things change once training camp rolls around. The following players have either increased or decreased their fantasy value, depending on how they’ve performed in training camp.
UPDATED Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 (new players indicated by arrows)
2008 NFL Training Camp – Fantasy Football Stock Up
Keenan Burton, WR, Rams I’m not one to recommend drafting rookie receivers, but Keenan Burton could be worth a look in the final rounds of your draft, depending on how deep your league is. Burton has looked great in training camp, while his main competition, fellow rookie Donnie Avery, will miss a few weeks with a minor injury. I had Burton as a higher-rated rookie despite the fact that St. Louis chose Avery before Burton.
Michael Clayton, WR, Buccaneers Jon Gruden can’t stop praising Michael Clayton. Per Gruden, Clayton’s work ethic has improved so much so that he’s becoming one of the leaders on offense. If that’s true, it’s great news for the “I Keep Drafting Michael Clayton Really Late in All My Leagues Every Year but Keep Getting Disappointed and Cutting Him by Week 3” Club. I’m a charter member.
Ronald Curry, WR, Raiders Another receiver getting great press from his coaching staff is Ronald Curry. Curry registered 717 yards and four touchdowns despite having Josh McCown and Andrew Walter at quarterback last year. There’s no evidence JaMarcus Russell is going to be any better, at least not right away, but Curry seems like he would be a decent fourth receiver with a bit of upside.
Will Franklin, WR, Chiefs Despite being just a rookie, Will Franklin is already third on Kansas City’s depth chart. All he has to do is beat out Devard Darling, which shouldn’t be too difficult. However, keep in mind that the Chiefs’ quarterbacking situation stinks, and Herm Edwards’ conservative nature will prohibit Franklin from seeing a lot of targets. Still, he’s worth keeping an eye on especially in keeper leagues.
Darrell Jackson, WR, Broncos Darrell Jackson has been seeing more time in the first-team offense, as it seems he has beaten out Keary Colbert for the starting job. Jackson should get a lot of targets if Brandon Marshall is suspended.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers All the talk in Chargers camp is focused on how impressive Vincent Jackson has looked. This matches Jackson’s increased late-season production in 2007. Jackson would be a huge sleeper of mine if Philip Rivers weren’t coming off a torn ACL. Still, this vaults Jackson over the likes of Hines Ward, Donald Driver and Chris Chambers.
Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals 8/5 
I still find it really strange that T.J. Houshmandzadeh is being drafted before Chad Johnson in most leagues. Johnson is the more talented receiver, but people seemed to be afraid of his bogus ankle injury (he’s fine), the ridiculous comments he made this offseason and his obvious manic depressive disorder, as if Johnson is going to poison their fantasy squad. Don’t worry, people; Johnson specializes in pissing off Carson Palmer and Marvin Lewis, so unless either of those guys are on your team, you’re fine.
Rudi Johnson, RB, Bengals Rudi Johnson, essentially given up for dead by many fantasy players, has apparently been lighting it up in training camp. In fact, the Cincinnati Enquirer believes Johnson can accumulate about 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns. I wouldn’t expect Johnson to reach those figures again, but a 1,000-yard season is not out of the question now. And given where Johnson is being taken in most fantasy drafts, you could grab him in a later round as value.
Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks No arrow because there’s good news and bad news. The good news is, Julius Jones could get red-zone carries, as T.J. Duckett is in danger of getting cut. The bad news is, Mike Holmgren has announced that Jones and Maurice Morris will be splitting carries. Jones is far more talented than Morris, however, so Holmgren may change his tune in a few weeks.
Dustin Keller, TE, Jets 8/4 It’s unwise to trust rookie receivers and tight ends, but if you’re looking for a first-year tight end, make sure you take Dustin Keller. After lighting it up in training camp, Keller was the most impressive player on the field during the Jets’ scrimmage. Keller could be looking at 450 yards and about four touchdowns, so don’t go nuts or anything. Still, he’s definitely ahead of John Carlson and every other rookie tight end.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns While many fantasy owners are doubting Jamal Lewis, calling his 2007 performance a fluke, it seems like Lewis will soon silence his critics. He has reported to camp in shape, and is looking stronger and quicker than ever.
Ben Obomanu, WR, Seahawks 8/4 8/4: Apparently, I hit the panic button for nothing. Ben Obomanu is now practicing as Seattle’s No. 3 receiver. I would still observe what he does in the preseason before spending a late-round pick on him.
7/31: One of my fantasy sleepers hits the dust. According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Ben Obomanu has sunk to No. 5 on Seattle’s depth chart. That’s shocking to me, as Obomanu stepped up in Deion Branch’s absence in the Doggone Playoff. Courtney Taylor and Logan Payne are currently in front of Obomanu.
Dominic Rhodes, RB, Colts Dominic Rhodes – not Mike Hart or Kenton Keith – is Indianapolis’ No. 2 running back. Draft him as a handcuff for Joseph Addai.
Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints Pierre Thomas has used the momentum he built off his 200-yard performance against the Bears and turned it into a solid training camp performance. With Deuce McAllister coming off two knee surgeries and Reggie Bush unable to carry the ball in between the tackles, Thomas is likely to receive the most carries in 2008. I’ll make it an effort to have Thomas on all of my fantasy teams this season.
Travis Wilson, WR, Browns 8/5 There’s some uncertainty at receiver in Cleveland beyond Braylon Edwards. Donte’ Stallworth is the No. 2 guy, but he’s always hurt. He won’t last a full season. Joe Jurevicius is also there, but he’s coming off knee surgery and won’t play right away. That could open the door for Travis Wilson, who’s having an outstanding camp. Wilson hasn’t really done anything in the NFL as of yet, but he’s a former third-round pick. Oh, and he’s also entering the magical Year 3, which is always big for wideouts. Wilson could be a nice upside pick very late in your draft. Watch what he does in preseason carefully (or just read about it on this site).
2008 NFL Training Camp – Fantasy Football Stock Down
Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings As expected, Tarvaris Jackson is looking abysmal in training camp, as he can’t even refrain from throwing interceptions in 7-on-7 drills. This obviously lowers Bernard Berrian’s stock a bit, though Berrian is used to terrible quarterbacking from his days in Chicago.
Chris Brown, RB, Texans Chris Brown is close to getting cut, per the Houston Chronicle. The Texans signed Brown this offseason; Brown, who had an outstanding, 175-yard performance in Week 1 of the 2007 campaign, has seen his career quickly erode into oblivion.
James Hardy, WR, Bills BuffaloBills.com is reporting that James Hardy is not seeing many snaps with the first-team offense. Hardy’s frame makes him a great red-zone target, but you should probably avoid drafting him. Seventh-round rookie Steve Johnson could be a better final-round selection.
Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants The Giants have indicated that they’re planning on using a running back by committee. My condolences if you already drafted Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs still appears to be a solid RB2 in touchdown leagues, but I’d be careful taking him otherwise. Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward are both really talented, and will demand a good amount of Jacobs’ touches.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos 8/5 
Brandon Marshall has been suspended for the first three games of the season. That sentence could be reduced to two if he goes to couseling. However, Marshall could be docked more games if he’s found guilty in a DUI trial next month.
Steve Smith, WR, Panthers 8/4 Steve Smith beat up corner Ken Lucas, and was consequently suspended for the first two games of the season. I’m confused. If Smith wanted to pummel a corner, he should have went after Chris Gamble, the worst of the three top cornerbacks Carolina has on its roster.
Javon Walker, WR, Raiders 8/4 8/4: As if you needed another reason not to draft Javon Walker; the former Packer and Bronco star wideout told the Raiders he was planning on retiring. Al Davis coaxed him out of it – to avoid humiliation after giving him about $50 million this offseason, no doubt – but this speaks volumes of Walker’s inability to come back from multiple injuries.
7/31: Javon Walker’s knee injury is a concern, and he reportedly came to camp overweight. Factor in his other injuries and a mediocre quarterbacking situation, and Walker is pretty much undraftable.
Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles This isn’t about Brian Westbrook’s contract dispute (seriously, Eagles, stop being cheap and pay one of the best players in the NFL what he’s worth). This has to do with Shawn Andrews’ apparent depression. Andrews recently sent a text message saying, “My journey is just rough right now.” Oh boy. Without Andrews up front, Westbrook’s yards-per-carry average won’t reach 5.1 (2006) or 4.8 (2007) again, but he’s still the No. 2 player in PPR leagues.
Ernest Wilford, WR, Jaguars 8/5 If, for some reason, you completely lose your sanity during the draft and suddenly feel the need to draft a Miami wide receiver not named Ted Ginn, make it Derek Hagan; not Ernest Wilford. Wilford has looked completely awful in training camp, and may have already lost his job to Hagan.
Reggie Williams, WR, Jaguars Reggie Williams is forced into arthroscopic knee surgery, and will consequently miss a chunk of the regular season.
Roydell Williams, WR, Titans Roydell Williams apparently isn’t even in consideration for one of the starting receiver gigs, which currently belong to Justin Gage and Justin “Butter Fingers” McCareins. Williams was Tennessee’s top wideout in 2007, but has fallen off the face of the Earth with a new offensive coordinator in town.
2008 Fantasy Football Rankings – Home Page
2008 Fantasy Football: Mock Draft
2009 NFL Mock Draft
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| Top 150 | Sleepers | Busts |
